The Forest Hills Subdivision You Never Knew
Residents of Western Springs’ Forest Hills subdivision are justly proud of their neighborhood. But, it was a long time coming. In 1923, George Bruckert, a realtor and developer, envisioned a community of fine homes south of 47th Street and west of Wolf Road. Central to his plan were large lots
A Military Academy on Lawn Avenue?
Every day, Western Springs residents drive past the large house at 4621 Lawn. But, few know that it once housed a military school for young boys. In the early days of the Village, a Sanitarium occupied the building at 4621 Lawn. However, over time, officials began to investigate the efficacy
Former Western Springs Pastor, Billy Graham, Turns 95
On November 7, 1918, William Franklin Graham was born near Charlotte, North Carolina. And, in 1943, he became pastor of our local Baptist Church. Billy Graham, who has preached to more people than perhaps any other human being, began his ministerial career shortly after graduating from nearby Wheaton College. In 1943,
Back when Western Springs had its own Zoo
While not exactly Lincoln Park or Brookfield Zoo, some 100 years ago a local family had a small menagerie of animals that captivated local youngsters. Known as the “King of the Auctioneers”, Samuel Winternitz was a successful and well-respected Chicago businessman. However, as his family grew, he decided to move
Harry Maxted … Western Springs’ First War Dead
On April 12, 1918, Corporal Harry Maxted was in France, standing guard so that his men could get some badly needed rest. Suddenly, German soldiers attacked his trench with grenades. By all accounts, Henry “Harry” Maxted had a very normal childhood. Growing up in Old Town South, he and his
Western Springs’ Grammy Award Winner
Last April, former Western Springs resident George Beverly Shea passed away at the remarkable age of 104. And while he won two Grammy Awards, he will be best remembered as “America’s beloved gospel singer.” In 1940, a young man graduated from nearby Wheaton College and, shortly afterward, assumed his first
Western Springs’ “Girl Reporter”
In the 1920s, the nation’s newspaper staffs were dominated by men. But, one diminutive young woman from Western Springs changed all of that. If you wanted to be a newspaper reporter in the 1920s, you had to be a man. But someone forgot to tell that to Ione Quinby. Raised
A Great, Old Fire Engine Gets a Reprieve
In 1941, just days before Pearl Harbor, Western Springs took delivery of a fire engine, whose design was years ahead of its time. But, in recent years, it nearly rusted away on an Iowa farm. Western Springs’ first fire apparatus was a simple hose reel that had to be pulled
The Short-Lived Western Springs Cadets
Local resident E.C. Patterson once set a record driving from Chicago to New York in just 35 hours. But, did you know that he also organized local boys into the Western Springs Cadets? E.C. Patterson was, by any measure, a colorful character. While he held key management positions in several
Charles Vickery … Gone, But His Works Live On
Exactly fifteen years ago this week, Western Springs lost Charles Vickery, one of the country’s best seascape artists. But, his paintings live on in many homes and businesses. What influences a young boy to pursue a career in painting? In the case of Charles Vickery, it may have started with